Four People Dead, One Injured After Tragic Events Unfold on I-10 Near Ozona

CROCKETT COUNTY, TX - Four people died and one individual was seriously injured in an early Saturday morning crash on Interstate 10, about 11 miles west of Ozona in Crockett County. Department of Public Safety Sgt. Justin Baker said Jessica Renee Marciano, 32, of Torrington, Connecticut, Israel Izaguirre Garzal, 54, Maria Guadalupe Lopez De Izaguirre, 50, both of Ciudad Victora, Mexico, and Nora Castillo, 42, of Denver City, Texas all lost their lives after one of the deceased fell asleep at the wheel, lost control of her vehicle, and spiraled tragic events into motion.

At around 4:50 a.m., Marciano was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 in a 2005 Ford Ranger when she fell asleep, left the roadway into the center median, rolled over, and came to rest partially blocking the eastbound inside lane. Marciano was able to free herself from the vehicle with assistance and was sitting on top of her pickup. At that point, the only survivor of the crash, Todd Carl Saari, 47, of Iron, Minnesota, was traveling eastbound in a 2018 Kenworth Truck Tractor towing a 2001 Raven Trailer, and began approaching the disabled Ranger in the outside lane. Saari could only see a witness vehicle stopped on the improved shoulder and did not see the Ranger on the roadway. Saari moved to the inside lane and struck the Ranger, killing Marciano.

After striking the Ford, Saari's truck traveled into the center median with complete steering loss and crossed into the westbound lanes, striking a 2014 Volkswagen carrying the couple from Mexico and Castillo, and coming to rest upright facing north in the north ditch. The Volkswagen came to rest upright facing northwest in the north ditch.

All of those mentioned were pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Kerbow, and Saari was transported to Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo with incapacitating injuries.

All occupants had on seatbelts except for Lopez De Izaguirre and Marciano since she was sitting on her vehicle, said Sgt. Baker.

The posted speed limit in the area is 80 miles per hour, and the weather and road conditions were dry and clear at the time of the crash. 

Highway Patrol Trooper Russell Weatherby, with DPS Ozona, is the investigator of this crash, and he was assisted by  Highway Patrol Corporal Michael Johnson, DPS Ozona, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Corporal Rito Renteria, DPS Ozona, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Trooper Jason Lujan-Luna, DPS San Angelo, Crockett County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Department of Transportation.

A preliminary crash report will be available for purchase online in 10 days at https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/crashReportSearch.htm.